Price Checker / CPT 65430
How much does Corneal Smear cost?
CPT 65430 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 70x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$360–$420
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,250
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$530
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $27,232 is $26,842 over the fair price (about 70x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Corneal Smear
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican Hospital SANTA CRUZ, CA | — | — | 23463% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
Send us your bill and we'll compare every line item against Medicare rates and your hospital's published prices. Free review, no obligation.
About Corneal Smear
CPT code 65430 refers to corneal smear (billing description: "Corneal smear"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $86 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $116 in a doctor's office.
The Medicare rate is the closest thing to an objective "what this work is actually worth." A fair cash price for the uninsured is generally 1.5–3x that rate. Hospital sticker (gross) charges are often far higher — but almost nobody actually pays them.
What to do if you were overcharged
- 1Send us your bill — we'll identify this code and compare it against the rates shown above.
- 2Get a dispute letter — citing the Medicare rate and your hospital's own published pricing data.
- 3We negotiate for you — 25% of savings, no savings = no fee.